US20030168394A1 - Swivelling filter head assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter head assembly is configured for connection to a water line and including at least two filter heads connected to each other for treating water supplied through the water supply line and at least one of the filter heads accommodating a replaceable filter bowl. The assembly includes at least one head housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a central chamber in fluid communication with the ports and a bowl connection opening in fluid communication with the chamber. Each of the ports is pivotally connected to one of a tubular connector and an end plug fitting so that the head housing can pivot relative to the respective connector and/or fitting.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to water treatment devices, and specifically to such devices used in commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels, schools, as well as residences, for the treatment of water for drinking directly or for incorporation into beverages.[0001]
• In commercial establishments, when local water is mixed with beverage ingredients to provide soft drinks and juices, it is common to provide a water treatment system incorporating at least one treatment or filter unit. The feed water is introduced into a filter media, typically including, but not restricted to activated carbon, and/or passed through filter, reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) membranes. For the purposes of this application, “filtering” will be understood to mean other types of treatment, not restricted to filtering, and filtering and treatment will be used interchangeably. The treatment operation is performed to enhance and standardize the taste of the drinking water as well as beverages made from that water. Some beverage manufacturers require certain levels of treatment in feed water used by formulators of licensed beverage products.[0002]
• Since these commercial systems typically include at least one filter head which is plumbed into the feed water supply and at least one replaceable filter cartridge or media-containing filter bowl, the system should be installed in a location which is readily accessible to staff members to perform the periodic replacement of the media or cartridge. However, space availability is often a premium in such establishments, which limits the potential location of the treatment systems.[0003]
• In addition, conventional water treatment systems typically involve multiple filter units connected to each other in series so that the feed water is treated by all units in the system. These systems are usually plumbed using conventional plastic or metal threaded piping, often requiring professional plumbers to install. Modifications or repairs to the system typically must also be performed by such skilled personnel.[0004]
• Another disadvantage of conventional filter systems of this type is that when the filter heads are connected to the water lines and/or to adjacent filter heads using threaded plastic pipe, as is now common, there is a tendency for the fittings to become over-tightened during installation and/or repair. It is not uncommon for a head or the connector nipples to become cracked during this tightening procedure, which requires the replacement of the entire head and/or the connector fitting. This is an expensive and time-consuming operation. Also, if the crack is undetected, the unit may leak, potentially causing water damage at the facility.[0005]
• A related disadvantage is that the use of conventional threaded pipe connections requires the system to be mounted in a location that provides sufficient clearance to use a pipe wrench or pliers to remove or replace the heads. This requirement adds another limitation on the placement of the system in an otherwise crowded facility.[0006]
• Also, manufacturers of such treatment systems often provide a range of systems having different filtering capabilities. Some systems require additional filtering or treatment technologies, including, but not limited to RO units, or irradiation from ultraviolet (UV) sources. To improve manufacturing efficiency, it is desirable to be able to incorporate the range of available treatment technologies into a single head, or into a limited number of head configurations.[0007]
• Another drawback of conventional filter systems of this type is that relatively expensive stamped metal brackets are often used to mount the system to a wall. These brackets typically include support gussets and machined fastener openings which add to assembly time and cost.[0008]
• Thus, there is a need for a filter head system which is more efficiently and easily mounted in a facility, and which is easily repaired or replaced. Hopefully such repair can be accomplished without the use of tools. In addition, there is a need for a filter head housing which can optionally accommodate a variety of treatment technologies to increase the versatility of the head.[0009]
• A first object of the present invention is to provide an improved filter head assembly which is easily mounted to a wall without regard to the clearance of the filter bowl or the need for wrench clearance.[0010]
• Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved filter head assembly which can be assembled by unskilled personnel, preferably without the use of tools.[0011]
• A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved filter head assembly which is installed without using threaded connectors between filter adjacent filter heads.[0012]
• A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved filter head assembly incorporating the above-listed objects and in which the head housing is adaptable to include a variety of treatment technologies.[0013]
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved filter head assembly including the above-listed objects and employing a relatively inexpensive wall mounting bracket.[0014]
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The above-listed objects are met or exceeded by the present swiveling filter head assembly, which features a filter head housing configured for use in single or multiple filter combinations. A main advantage of the present filter head is that it is swivelable about a horizontal axis typically defined by the supply (inlet) and treated (outlet) water lines. Another feature of the present invention is that, in one embodiment, adjacent heads of the present configuration can be assembled together and placed in sealed fluid communication without the use of tools. If desired, a wall support bracket may be provided, which does involve tools during assembly. Still another feature of the present filter assembly is that the head housing can optionally accommodate supplemental treatment devices, including RO units or UV bulbs, without sacrificing the other advantages or features described above.[0015]
• More specifically, the present invention provides a filter head assembly for connection to a water line and including at least two filter heads connected to each other for treating water supplied through the water supply line and at least one of the filter heads accommodating a replaceable filter bowl. The assembly includes at least one head housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a central chamber in fluid communication with the ports and a bowl connection opening in fluid communication with the chamber. Each of the ports is pivotally connected to one of a tubular connector and an end plug fitting so that the head housing can pivot relative to the respective connector and/or fitting.[0016]
• In another embodiment, a filter head for connecting a supply of raw water to a filter media disposed in a filter bowl includes a head housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a central chamber in fluid communication with the ports and a bowl connection opening in fluid communication with the chamber. Each of the ports is pivotally connected to an end plug fitting so that the head housing can pivot relative to the respective connector and/or fitting for access to the bowl connection opening. A support is also included and is disposed in operational relationship to each port for supporting the housing on a wall.[0017]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of the present system mounted to a wall;[0018]
• FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 1;[0019]
• FIG. 3 is an exploded front view of the present system;[0020]
• FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the bracket and clamp of the present system; and[0021]
• FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present system using only one filter head housing.[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring now to FIGS.[0023]1-3, the present filter head assembly is generally designated10, and is preferably configured for connection to awater line12 for treating feed water to make it suitable for drinking or making into beverages such as soft drinks or juices. Thesystem10 is typically connected in in-line fashion between portions of thewater line12, so that theline12 thus includes afeed inlet line14 and a treatedline16.
• The[0024]system10 generally includes at least onefilter head18 in fluid communication with thewater line12, and at least onefilter bowl20 configured for retaining a filter media and also for being releasably connected to thefilter head18. While shown as a threaded connection, bayonet lug connections, cam locks and other known attachment technologies are contemplated. It is contemplated that thefilter bowl20 can enclose at least one of a variety of filter or treatment media, including, but not limited to activated carbon, filter fibers, carbon fiber block, RO membranes, NF membranes, UV treatment systems or other known treatment technologies.
• While conventional filter heads are securely fixed to the[0025]water line12 and to adjacent filter heads, an important feature of the present invention is that theheads18 are swivellable or pivotable relative to theline12 and to adjacent heads. More specifically, this advantage is achieved through the provision of afilter head housing22 having aninlet port24, anoutlet port26, and acentral chamber28 in fluid communication with the ports. It is contemplated that the flow pattern/function (inlet/outlet) of theports24,26 may be changed depending on the application, the treatment system, and the type of media. Thebowl20 is in fluid communication with a bowl connection opening30 defined by thehead housing22 at the bottom of thechamber28.
• The swiveling action is achieved by each of the[0026]ports24,26 being pivotally connected to one of atubular connector32 and an end plug fitting34 so that thehead housing22 can pivot or swivel relative to the respective connector and/or fitting. An advantage of this swiveling action is that access to thebowl20 and/or thebowl connection opening30 is facilitated, regardless of the location of thesystem10 on a wall.
• More specifically, each of the[0027]ports24,26 is provided with afastener portion36 having a first diameter, and asealing portion38 having a second, and preferably smaller diameter relative to thefastener portion36. Anouter end40 of the fastener portion has a radially projectingflange42. In addition, at least one and preferably four fastener apertures44 (FIG. 3), each of which is preferably rectangular or square in shape. However, the number, positioning and shape of theapertures44 may vary to suit the application.
• As is known in the art, to ensure that the inlet water is treated prior to release from the[0028]outlet port26, the outlet port is provided with adiverter conduit46 which is generally “L” shaped or provided with an elbow. Thediverter conduit46 is placed in fluid communication, usually via a tube or conduit (not shown) with the base of the filter media. Thus, the inflowing water which has passed through the filter media and has thus been treated will collect at the bottom of the media and be collected by the tube for passage into thediverter conduit46 and out theoutlet port26. The operation of fluid filters of this type is well known in the art, and the specific media, as well as the flow direction (upflow or downflow) may vary to suit the application. The determination of upflow or downflow orientation will also determine the designation of theports24,26 as inlet or outlet ports.
• Another feature of the[0029]present assembly10 is that alower edge48 is configured to form an angled, wedge-shape or knife-edge. This configuration facilitates sealing engagement with certain types of filter media arrangements. Still another feature of thepresent assembly10 is that thefilter head housing22 has an optionalupper access port50 which, if opened through an optional secondary manufacturing operation, can accommodate a supplemental filtering or treatment device, such as an RO unit, a UV light bulb, or other equivalent technology. The details of such an option are provided in greater detail below.
• Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, as described above, each of the[0030]ports24,26 is pivotally connected to one of thetubular connector32 and the end plug fitting34 so that thehead housing22 can pivot or swivel relative to the respective connector and/or fitting. When multiple filter heads22 are placed adjacent each other, they are connected together using thetubular connector32. In the illustrated examples, that connection is made at theoutlet port26 of thefirst head housing22. Thetubular connector32 includes a generallycylindrical body52 with a centralaxial throughbore54 configured for enabling fluid communication betweenadjacent head housings22.
• When viewed from the front, as shown in FIG. 3, the[0031]tubular connector32 is symmetrical, having at each end anouter sealing portion56 and aninner fastening portion58. The twofastening portions58 are separated by acentral portion60, the dimension of which may change to suit the application. However, an advantage of thepresent system10 is that, by using thetubular connector32, the adjacentfilter head housings22 may be mounted more closely together than was previously possible using the prior art threaded pipe connectors. In this manner, a closer mounting reduces the amount of space in the facility taken up by thepresent system10. Thus, thecentral portion60 will preferably be as axially short as possible.
• More specifically, the sealing[0032]portions56 are shaped to form O-ring or seal grooves for accommodating at least one and preferably two O-rings62. It has been found that placing two O-rings62 in thesame groove56 enhances the sealing qualities of the arrangement. While O-rings62 are preferred, it is also contemplated that other equivalent sealing technologies may be used, including but not limited to lip seals or seal ridges molded into theconnector32 or the corresponding sealingportion38 of therespective ports24,26. It is also preferred that at least one O-ring62 be located between thebowl20 and the bowl connection opening30 to seal that junction, as is well known in the art.
• The[0033]fastening portions58 at each end of thetubular connector32 are configured to form at least one fastener groove for receiving an elongate fastener which passes through one of the correspondingfastener apertures44 located in anouter wall64 of thefastener portion36. Upon assembly of thesystem10, thefastener apertures44 are in registry with the correspondingfastener grooves58. In the preferred embodiment, theapertures44 are each configured to receive a corresponding one of preferably twoelongate legs66 of a generally “U”-shaped fastener spring clip68 (FIG. 2). Thelegs66 pass through theapertures44 and engage thefastener grooves58 to prevent thehead housing22 from moving laterally or axially relative to thetubular connector32. At the same time, the engagement of thelegs66 in thegrooves58 allows the securedfastener spring clip68 and the associatedport26 to pivot or swivel about theconnector32. The sealing relationship between thetubular connector32 and theport26 is preserved during this pivoting action by the O-rings62.
• An advantage of the “U”-shape of the fastener spring clips[0034]68 is that each clip has twolegs66, increasing the fastening power of each clip, and also, abase portion70 of the clip facilitates gripping so that the clip may be installed or removed without the use of tools. Accordingly, to fastenadjacent head housings22, one merely places corresponding outlet andinlet ports26,24 in alignment, places atubular connector32 between the housings so that the connector is engaged in the corresponding ports, supplies the necessary O-rings62 in thegrooves56, and inserts theclips68 into the correspondingapertures44. Typically there will be oneclip68 for eachport24,26, or two clips perconnector32. However, the number, construction and arrangement of theclips68 or other fastener may vary to suit the application. Thus, the assembly of adjacent units can be accomplished without the use of tools.
• Once the number of[0035]head housings22 is determined, the resulting assembly of housings is secured to thewater line12 by the end plug fitting34. Unlike thetubular connector32, the end plug fitting34 is not symmetrical, but has only oneend72 with anouter sealing portion56 and aninner fastening portion58 which is identical to an end of thetubular connector32. As such, the end plug fitting34 is attached to thehead housing22 using afastener spring clip68 engagingfastener apertures44 in the same manner described above in relation to thetubular connector32.
• The[0036]other end74 of the end plug fitting34 is configured to attach to thewater line12, and as such is typically internally threaded and provided with afaceted exterior76 to be gripped by a wrench or pliers. Naturally, the interior of the end plug fitting34 has athroughbore78 configured for passing water from theline12 to the interior of thehead housing22.
• An advantage of the above-described[0037]system10 is that at least one and preferably two ormore head housings22 can be connected to a water line and preferably together in a way which requires less space than conventional systems. As such, once assembled as above, thesystem10 can be placed so that the filter bowls20 rest on the floor of a facility and are not attached to the wall. If thefilter bowl20 needs replacement or refilling, thehead housing22 is pivoted or swiveled outward (best seen in FIG. 1) for easy access. This type of installation is not available with conventional systems where there is a need to provide clearance below thebowl20 for removal.
• However, despite the above-listed advantage, it is also contemplated that the[0038]system10 may be mounted so that it is fixed to a wall. To that end, asupport bracket80 is provided which supports theassembly10 on the wall, and is configured to engage a corresponding one of theports24,26. Thus, eachsystem10 will need at least twosuch brackets80 to secure it to the wall. Asystem10 of threehead housings22 will require fourbrackets80.
• Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and[0039]4, thebrackets80 include a mountingportion82 with at least oneopening84 for receiving threaded fasteners, expansion bolts or the like to secure the bracket to the wall as is well known in the art. Attached to the mountingportion82 is a hook-like support portion86 with adepression88 configured for accommodating and retaining the perimeter of theport24,26. To retain theports24,26, thebracket80 includes at least oneclamp90. Theclamp90 is preferably arcuate in shape and is provided with a pair ofeyelets92 which receivefasteners94. In the preferred embodiment, thefasteners94 are threaded, however other fasteners are contemplated, including rivets, cotter pins or other similar types of fasteners. As is known in the art, thefasteners94 engage threadedbosses96 in thesupport portion86 for securing theclamp90 to the support portion.
• Another function of the[0040]clamp90 is that it exerts a radial compression force which holds therespective ports24,26 securely against the correspondingtubular connector32 or the end plug fitting34. Theclamp90 includes a pair of dependingedges98 which capture the corresponding radially projectingflange42 ofadjacent head housings22, and thus secure the adjacent head housings together and in operational relationship to the corresponding connector or fitting32,34. The engagement between the clamp edges98 and theflange42 is such that the featured swiveling action is preserved. In fact, if desired, the use of theclamp90 and thebracket80 can be a substitute for the use of the U-clips68 as the fastening apparatus for thepresent system10 at the junction betweenadjacent head housings22. If theclamp90 and thebracket80 are used to replace the U-clips68 at the ends of thesystem10, the end plug fitting34 needs to be provided with a formation corresponding to theflange42 configured for being engaged by and retained in theinlet24 by theclamp90 and thebracket80.
• Referring again to FIG. 3, if it is desired to supplement the filter or treatment media in the[0041]filter bowl20, theoptional support port50 is provided in an open condition. The supplemental treatment device, generally designated100, which is contemplated as being an RO unit, preferably of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,473 which is incorporated by reference, a UV bulb or similar supplemental treatment technology. To retain thesupplemental device100 in place in a sealed relationship, thepresent system10 further includes an add-onseal retainer102 with acentral bore104 and a depending threadedskirt106. The skirt threadably engages a threadedexterior wall108 of theport50 and retains at least one and preferably two O-rings62 in place against the exterior of the supplemental treatment device to prevent leaks. In amulti-head assembly10, it is contemplated that one or more of thehead housings22 can be provided with differentsupplemental treatment device100, or no such device at all. Thus, anassembly10 including threehead housings22 may include an RO unit in onehousing22, a UV bulb in another, and athird housing22 without anysupplemental device100. The arrangement and number ofhead housings22 andsupplemental treatment devices100 may vary to suit the application, and may include pressure gauges, test probes and/or other fittings.
• Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the[0042]system10 is illustrated in which only onehead housing22 is provided. In this configuration, there is an end plug fitting34 located in each of theports24,26. In addition, there is aclamp90 and abracket80 disposed at each of theports4,26. Thehead housing22, as well as itsfilter bowl20, is supported at both ends by thebracket80 and theclamp90.
• Thus, it will be seen that the present[0043]filter head system10 provides the capability of installation where space is limited in that thefilter head housings22 may be pivoted out for easy bowl replacement. The singlefilter head housing22 is versatile, in that it may accommodate a variety of arrangements employing one ormore filter head18, and may also feature optional supplemental treatment devices. Installation of multiple units can be accomplished without the use of tools. If wall mounting is required, some simple tools such as a screwdriver may be needed. Adequate sealing is provided to prevent leaks despite the pivoting action of thehead housing22.
• While a particular embodiment of the present swiveling filter head assembly has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.[0044]

Claims (19)

1. A filter head assembly configured for connection to a water line and including at least two filter heads connected to each other for treating water supplied through the water supply line, at least one of said filter heads accommodating a replaceable filter bowl, said assembly comprising:

at least one head housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a central chamber in fluid communication with said ports and a bowl connection opening in fluid communication with said chamber;

each of said ports being pivotally connected to one of a tubular connector and an end plug fitting so that said head housing can pivot relative to said respective connector and/or fitting.

2. The assembly ofclaim 1 further including fastening means for fastening at least one of said ports to one of said connector and said fitting.

3. The assembly ofclaim 2 wherein said fastening means includes at least one fastener groove on said connector and said fitting, each said port having an outer wall with at least one fastener aperture in registry with said groove upon assembly, and at least one fastener configured for engaging said groove through said aperture to pivotally attach said port to said connector or said fitting and prevent relative lateral movement of said port and said connector or said fitting.

4. The assembly ofclaim 3 wherein said fastener is a spring clip.

5. The assembly ofclaim 2 wherein said fastening means includes at least one clamp for exerting a radial compression force holding said outlet against said connector or said fitting.

6. The assembly ofclaim 5 wherein said clamp is provided with a bracket for providing a base to secure said housing.

7. The assembly ofclaim 6 wherein said bracket is configured for attachment to a wall.

8. The assembly ofclaim 5 wherein each said port has a radially extending end flange, and said at least one clamp is configured for engaging said flanges of adjacent ports and drawing said ports together about said connector.

9. The assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said plug fitting is threaded at one end for threadably engaging a water supply line.

10. The assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said connector and said plug fitting are sealingly connected to said corresponding port in said housing.

11. The assembly ofclaim 10 wherein said fitting and said connector are provided with at least one seal groove configured for receiving at least one O-ring.

12. The assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said head housing further includes an accessory port configured for receiving at least one of an RO unit and a UV bulb.

13. The assembly ofclaim 12 further including a seal retainer configured for sealingly positioning an annular seal about said accessory port.

14. The assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said adjacent housings are sealingly fastened together only by said tubular connector and at least one spring clip without the use of tools.

15. A filter head for connecting a supply of raw water to a filter media disposed in a filter bowl, said head comprising:

a head housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a central chamber in fluid communication with said ports and a bowl connection opening in fluid communication with said chamber;

each of said ports being pivotally connected to an end plug fitting so that said head housing can pivot relative to said respective connector and/or fitting for access to said bowl connection opening; and

a support disposed in operational relationship to each said port for supporting said housing on a wall.

16. The filter head ofclaim 15 wherein each said end plug fitting includes at least one fastener groove, at least one seal groove and a connection point for a water supply line.

17. The filter head ofclaim 16 wherein each said port includes an outer wall having at least one fastener opening, and further including a fastener configured to engage said at least one fastener groove through said opening to secure said fitting to said port.

18. The filter head ofclaim 15 wherein said support includes a clamp and a bracket configured for sandwiching said port and said fitting therebetween.

19. The filter head ofclaim 18 wherein each said port has a radially extending end flange, and said clamp is configured for engaging and capturing said flange.

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